Cannabinoid therapies in the management of sleep disorders: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review synthesizing clinical and preclinical studies
PubMed 32603954 · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101339
What was done
Authors searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo for preclinical and clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid therapies (including THC and CBD) for sleep disorders. A total of 14 preclinical and 12 clinical studies met inclusion criteria.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical outcome statistics. The authors found insufficient evidence to support routine clinical use of cannabinoids for any sleep disorder due to sparse published literature and moderate-to-high risk of bias in most included studies. Preliminary evidence was noted as providing rationale for future trials in sleep apnea, insomnia, PTSD-related nightmares, restless legs syndrome, REM sleep behaviour disorder, and narcolepsy.
Why it matters
Despite increasing use of THC and CBD products, current evidence cannot justify routine clinical prescription for sleep disorders, establishing the need for rigorous randomized controlled trials.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative data, effect sizes, or specific dosage details. The evidence base is constrained by a small number of clinical studies (12 total), heterogeneous conditions, and moderate-to-high risk of bias across the literature.
Cited by
- supports Scientific studies on CBD and sleep show mixed results, with roughly half showing benefits and the other half showing no effect or worsened sleep.